Tagged: greg childs

Greg Childs happily walked through Minnesota's locker room. It was a stiff stroll, but the wide receiver walked without assistance, proudly updating his progress and promising to be back on the field for 2013 despite a ruptured patellar tendon in each of his knees that ended his rookie year before it began.

While many Arkansas fans would like to believe that Bobby Petrino could wave a wand and coach anyone with two legs to victories galore in the Southeastern Conference, let’s also agree that the talent in Arkansas in 2007-08 was fortuitous for a pass-happy coach. That’s how you go 21-5 over two years while conceding the defensive side.

Arkansas has been tested more than usual by the defense during fall camp. There are a variety of explanations for why this has happened, including the defense retooling its coaching staff and the overall talent level continuing to improve on that side of the ball. Quarterback Tyler Wilson sees another reason for the change as well.

Arkansas didn’t engage in full contact on Monday, but there was a big enough collision to force linebacker Tenarius Wright into an early exit. Wright made contact with running back Knile Davis, suffering a possible concussion, during inside run drills. Players weren’t tackling to the ground, but the impact was enough to shake up Wright, who Coach John L. Smith said was being evaluated post-practice.

Coaches and players were hoping for the best when Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Childs was injured after going for a ball in the end zone during a recent scrimmage. They were hopeful Childs, who went down clutching both knees and was carted off the field, would be able to make a quick return. Childs won’t be back soon. The Vikings confirmed Childs tore patellar tendons in both knees and will undergo surgery. His rookie season, off to a promising start in camp, is finished.

Don’t bother looking for a Wal-Mart in the south Arkansas town of Warren. To find one of those you have to drive 20 or so miles east to Monticello. Same thing with a local movie theater. Warren doesn’t have one of those either. Know what the South Arkansas town of 6,000 does have? A history of producing great college wide receivers and two of the top 150 draft picks in the recent NFL Draft. Former Arkansas Razorbacks and Warren teammates Jarius Wright and Greg Childs were fourth-round picks by the Minnesota Vikings, further establishing Warren’s tradition as a hotbed for wide receiver talent in Arkansas.

New England Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett spent three years throwing to Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs.
Mallett was their college quarterback in 2009 and 2010. He redshirted in 2008, but still had the opportunity to be around the trio, all of whom were drafted in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
Having that sort of knowledge of Adams, Wright and Childs, plus a year in the NFL, Mallett told ArkansasSports360.com he believes the three can be successful at the next level.

Greg Childs and Jarius Wright had begun preparing themselves for the end. It was inevitable that their time as teammates would be over, even as the friendship remained. Well, not yet. The former Arkansas and Warren High teammates are not broken up yet.

Former Arkansas wide receiver Greg Childs was picked 134th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Draft. Childs was the fourth Arkansas player taken and third Razorback wide receiver. He joins former Razorback Jarius Wright in Minnesota. Wright and Adams also played together at Warren High School.

Arkansas receivers Joe Adams and Greg Childs, defensive end Jake Bequette and linebacker Jerry Franklin are hoping for a call this weekend during the NFL Draft. Other players with in-state ties who figure to get drafted are Arkansas State linebacker Demario Davis, safety Kelcie McCray and UCA quarterback Nathan Dick.

NFL Draft action begins on Thursday. While no players with state ties are projected to go on the first day, a number of Arkansas and Arkansas State prospects figure to go in the middle to late rounds. ESPN’s Todd McShay has six players from the state listed in his seven-round mock draft, available as part of the ESPN insider package. Below we look at who McShay has going where:

Bobby Petrino will walk out of the Broyles Complex and onto the turf at Reynolds Razorback Stadium today when spring practice begins. Just like always. Unlike the last three spring sessions and four fall camps since 2008, however, Petrino will not see Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright when he looks in the direction of the wide receivers. Petrino expects the process to replace the trio to be a challenge. And, well, weird.

Running routes and catching passes during pre-draft work can be a bit of a mixed bag for receivers. Drills often require adjusting to a new quarterback and quickly trying to figure out the habits of the guy throwing the passes. Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and Greg Childs experienced that at the NFL Combine last month. There were no such problems for the trio at Arkansas Pro Day. Former Razorback Ryan Mallett, drafted in 2011 by the New England Patriots, was on hand to throw.

Four former Arkansas Razorbacks and two former Arkansas State Red Wolves went through the rigors of speed, quickness, strength and jumping drills at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in the past four days, and former ASU linebacker Demario Davis has to feel good about his showing.

Officially the NFL Combine begins today in Indianapolis. Workouts for players begin on Saturday. Interviews, physicals and weigh-ins will be the focal point for the first few days of the event, which runs through Feb. 28. Here are the players we’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the week:

Injury seemed to slow Arkansas wide receiver Greg Childs throughout 2011. He was never really able to show his skill set off in a disappointing senior season. Childs will still get a shot to impress NFL scouts thanks to being included in the official NFL Combine. Players report to Indianapolis Feb. 22-28 and Childs is on the list along with five other players with ties to the state of Arkansas.

Cobi Hamilton figures to see increased involvement in the Arkansas offense this year. Defenses will be keeping an eye on Hamilton. So will NFL Draft Scouts. Consider where CBS/NFLDraftScout.com has Hamilton ranked among 2013 prospects.